WHEREAS, December 15, 1952, marks the 161st anniversary of the adoption of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States, our time-honored document of freedom, the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, by free and active use of the precious right of free speech, keystone to the Bill of Rights, the entire world has recently witnessed the people of the United States engage in a free election--democracy's most prized possession--giving, in the traditional American manner, free expression to private and diverse opinions, without fear, on controversial and public issues; and

WHEREAS, in contrast to the tyranny of Communist and other totalitarianism, the life, liberty, and property of the people of the United States is protected against deprivation, except by due process of law--fair trial and fair hearing--under the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, the principle of equality is being etched more sharply and strongly each day, in all facets of our national life, demonstrating to the free world that our Bill of Rights is a bastion of personal freedom; and

WHEREAS, the strain growing out of our world-wide conflict with Communist dictatorship can, sometimes, result in a departure from the principles of free speech, due process and equality, the principles which distinguish us so clearly from totalitarianism:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elbert N. Carve', Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Monday, December 15, 1952, as

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY

and urge all citizens in our homes, educational institutions, religious, fraternal and other organizations, to observe that day and to foster maintenance and reinforcement of the Bill of Rights, our civil liberties, which are the core of our national strength and faith.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Elbert N. Carve], Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this Fifth day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh.